VISUALJOURNALIST

Charles Apple is a longtime news artist, graphics reporter, designer, editor and blogger. The former Focus page editor of the Orange County Register and graphics director of the Virginian-Pilot and the Des Moines Register, he spent five years as an international consultant and instructor. Currently, he’s deputy design director for the Houston Chronicle. He spends way too much time online. Read more ...

A look at this weekend’s Kentucky Derby front pages

Both Lexington and Louisville went with illustrations on the covers of their Saturday newspapers to advance yesterday’s 139th running of the Kentucky Derby.

The Lexington Herald-Leader put this wonderfully graphic illustration by Chris Ware on the front, showing roses falling upon the downs.

Meanwhile, the Courier-Journal of Louisville went with a photoillustration of a trainer who had five horses running Saturday.

The picture was by staffer Alton Strupp. Andrew Scheiderich did the cardfront illustrations.

The winner — by two-and-a-half lengths — was Orb, who had won four straight races going into the Derby. A $2 bet on the horse to win paid $12.80.

The pictures for today’s fronts were taken at very nearly the same moment — just past the finish line — and from nearly the same angle. All that was different was the crop and the phrasing of the “Orb shines” headline.

The Herald-Leader chose a nice, tight crop of Orb and his jockey, Joel Rosario shot by staffer Timothy D. Easley.